The Swoletariat: a history of leftist fitness
So-called "swoletariats" are exercising for the resistance.
There’s a lot of fitness content in conservative manosphere circles – that’s not new – but now, there are also fitness influencers who call themselves the “swoletariat.” That’s a combination of the word “swole,” meaning buff, and “proletariat,” meaning the working class — the swoletariat are people whose fitness regimens connect to leftist politics. NPR's Life Kit producer Margaret Cirino shares her reporting with Brittany on the history of leftist fitness – and why she’s seeing the swoletariat picking up steam on social media.
Want to know more about fitness and health? Check out these episodes:
The difference between losing weight & being "healthy"
Beware the Wellness Industrial Complex!
The privilege of being "skinny"
Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.
Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluse
For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
There’s a lot of fitness content in conservative manosphere circles – that’s not new – but now, there are also fitness influencers who call themselves the “swoletariat.” That’s a combination of the word “swole,” meaning buff, and “proletariat,” meaning the working class — the swoletariat are people whose fitness regimens connect to leftist politics. NPR's Life Kit producer Margaret Cirino shares her reporting with Brittany on the history of leftist fitness – and why she’s seeing the swoletariat picking up steam on social media.
Want to know more about fitness and health? Check out these episodes:
The difference between losing weight & being "healthy"
Beware the Wellness Industrial Complex!
The privilege of being "skinny"
Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.
Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluse
For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
You May Also Like

True Cheating Wives and Girlfriends Stories 2025 - True Cheating Stories Podcast
True Cheat Stories Official 2026

Rogue Energy
iHeartPodcasts

Money Making Conversations Master Class
Rushion McDonald

Promo Estereo Podcast
PROMO ESTEREO PODCAST

Thomas Paine Podcast
mike moore

Quem Ama Não Esquece
Band FM

برامج قناة فرانس24
فرانس 24 / FRANCE 24

綠豆搞Bean科
綠豆 Green Bean Media

Live From Tirana - Top Albania Radio
Top Albania Radio

Tilos Rádió heti podcast
Tilos Rádió
Community discussion